Women's Volleyball Takes on Non-Conference Opponents Mercy College and NYIT

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – After suffering a tough, 3-1, loss to Stonehill College on Tuesday night, the Merrimack College Women's volleyball team travel to Old Westbury, N.Y. for two non-conference match-ups. The Warriors take on Mercy College at 12 p.m. and New York Institute of Technology at 2 p.m.

In the opening set, Merrimack offense came out strong and took a 15-11 lead over Stonehill College. It was a back-and-fourth battle between the two teams but Merrimack took the set, 26-24, after a huge block by Tara Stuhr (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Corrine Gosselin (Lawrence, Mass.).

With the momentum on the visitor's side, the Warriors slowly rallied back to bring the score to 23-16 causing Stonehill to take a timeout. After the timeout, Stonehill came out firing and took the second set, 25-16.

In the third set, Merrimack took a 7-4 lead before Stonehill went on a 4-0 run to tie the game at 7-all. Merrimack and Stonehill battle point-by-point but Stonehill took the frame, 25-19.

In the final match, the Skyhawks took an early 10-3 lead over the Warriors. Merrimack pulled together and brought the score within four points. After a kill from Jackie Jones, Merrimack went on a 3-0 run to bring the score to 22-20. Stonehill kept it together and took the final frame, 25-21

Defensively, sophomore Madison Burke (San Jose, Calif.) led the way with 24 digs and three service aces. Junior outside hitter Stephanie Sheehan (Smithtown, N.Y.) chipped in with 10 kills, two service aces, five digs, and a block assists. Stuhr finished the night with 35 assists and six digs, while junior Corrine Gosselin and junior Aliya Winker (Arlington, Va.) tallied a team-high three block assists.

Last Season against the Mavericks

Merrimack defeated Mercy, 3-0. (25-18, 25-14 and 25-15)

Merrimack was led by Sheehan who recorded a team-high seven kills and four digs.

Gosselin also recorded a team-high as she had seven kills in the set as well.

Katie Wilcox (Pembroke, Mass.) and Taciane Santos (Everett, Mass.) each saw action in two sets on Saturday, finishing with two digs and two kills respectively.